OKLAHOMA HAZMAT TEAMS TAKE HIGHEST HONOR

10-22-2004

Teams from Midwest City and Norman participated in the New Mexico State Haz-Mat Challenge August 9th through the 13th with the Midwest City team bringing home the trophy for 1st Place Overall for the second year in a row and the Norman team winning 1st Place in the technical division during this, their first year to compete.

These were the only two Oklahoma teams participating in the games against teams from New Mexico and Texas in competitions ranging from Decontamination and Chemical Recognition, which was held in a mock methamphetamine lab, to Draining and Diking and working a Stinger Operation on an overturned tanker. There was a competition to stop leaks in a 1-ton tanker, a rail car, and a valve tree. A confined space challenge placed the competitor in a chemical accident that involved a search and rescue as well as a stop-leak mitigation.

"I could not be more proud of our Haz-Mat team's accomplishments. Having back to back victories speaks well of their dedication" said Midwest City Chief Randy Olsen, "The traveling trophy will spend yet another year adorning the walls of our administrative office." Participants from Midwest City were Chief Jonathan Herndon, Captain Carl Frownfelter, Reese Morrison, Doug Beabout, and Bert Norton.

Norman Captain Jeff Bernhardt commented on Norman taking a prize at their first competition by saying "Last October, the Norman Fire Department graduated 31 Haz-Mat technicians. To have so little experience and do so well against competition of this caliber speaks volumes for the teams' tenacity and teamwork as well as the quality of training we receive as firefighters in the State of Oklahoma. This was a great hands-on learning experience for all who attended the challenge. Our respective communities will be the beneficiaries of what we have learned." Competing with the Norman team were Captain Jeff Bernhardt, Sergeant Kurt Holley, Firefighter Stephen Clymer, and Major Keith Nelson.

Midwest City's Bert Norton also took home 1st place honors at the Pie-Eating Contest held at the end of the second day with Norman firefighter Stephen Clymer placing second; however, the Norman team has made some good-natured allegations that there was some cheating in that contest!